Anne Robinson goes to America (Weakest Link)

[@JeopardyandWheelFan]

When I first saw ads for the Weakest Link, I was hooked on the show almost instantly and as soon as the first episode came on, I said, "I LOVE IT!!!". At that point, I knew why they chose Anne to host. It was obviously because the people at NBC watched a clip of the British version and they said something like, "Okay, she's obviously the perfect choice to host the U.S. version," most likely alluding to the fact that we Americans love a bit of British insulting.

[@officialSgtPepperArc360]

And she was the _perfect_ one! 100th comment btw

[@AAA839]

The show is quite revolution at that time, because none of the show like weakest link will encourage people not need to be nice to anyone and just being competitive. And try to win the game with any cost. Anne really made a history as she is one of few female quiz show host, when most of other are men only. Also she is former journalist and "mature" than most other host. Those thing are taking as example when other country bough the show format and finding their "Anne Robinson" host. However.One thing quite sad about is the current cancel culture and reality show flooded cause the reboot just taking like typical reality tv show and other gameshow . it really lost its charm.not only to the show procedure and those amazing track and camera + set lighting. Also the host being too "nice" not to try being a bit pushy.the new producer never think to follow the tradition. Just typical american thinking,they must twist the format to be called making change for the show... Nowaday even Anne admit she can't host again because she can't being brutal like old days with current TV culture.with BBC also want others forget the original formate(they set the content ID to claim any weakest link show even with other language. One of the thing I hate is some people just accuse her being bulled now when former show clip appear online and they never speak in old days,which is disgusting why you don't say anything with 10 years so on and speak like that....

[@SanFran51]

@@AAA839 By the way. She's still alive. She's 80 now. Obviously she's been absent ever since. She grew up with a domineering mother and suffered from alcoholism which lead to the breakdown of her first marriage. She stated she knew her alcoholism was serious when one day she dropped off her daughter off to school she instantly drove to the nearest petrol station to buy a bottle of vodka.

[@redrocks1983]

Hard to believe that Anne is now 77! May she have a long life.

[@trh1493]

79 now 2024

[@SanFran51]

@@trh1493 80. Actually. Especially since she had a domineering mother and suffered alcoholism in her time.

[@MikeDexbach]

Narrator: The budget for the trailer is $200,000. Crew: *no stairs to the stage, cue cards, reflector made of foil glued to cardboard*

[@scouser2010ify]

Also Americans like the their hosts warm and cuddly we in Britain like our hosts real and sarcastic

[@ronflatter1235]

Great to see this. I was on the first run of the U.S. show, and I won $80,500. We shot nearly two months after 9/11, and it finally aired on GSN in January 2003.

[@glsweeney721]

I love WL, I'm actually quite upset that it wasn't that successful in the US

[@rockie0708]

Grace Sweeney I think Anne should have more herself instead of acting like an evil headmistress. That's where they went wrong I'm afraid. TBH not many quiz shows make it in America. Plus Anne got a nice few million.

[@LoyalmoonieProductions]

Grace Sweeney you can pretty much blame al-Qaeda and 9/11 for the show's failure in the USA.

[@stormlemmington8436]

+Loyalmoonie Exactly this. The US lost almost all appetite for this kind of thing after 9/11. In fact this docu is a nice reminder of how stupid the news in the US had become by 2001, where it was possible for a hype machine to create an artificial frenzy over some new product; where something like a new game show on NBC was headline-dominating. 9/11 put an end to that.

[@mitchellries256]

I am surprised it wasn't successful in a lot of countries. Most countries only lasted for one year or two. The only other successful countries I can think of off the bat are France (2001-2007), Malaysia (2003-3009) and Moldova (2002-2009)

[@mitchellries256]

I doubt that's what did it. Of anything, that's what made if more popular than Who Wants to be a Millionaire? for a while. The reasons why could be because of 9/11, NBA games running so long, and so many celebrity specials which were mostly celebrities people don't remember and did even worst than regular contestants.

[@bosslady1973]

I like that they show her softer side even though she does her job well. Pure entertainment here. Would love to see new episodes!

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

+Boss Lady Anne isnt like the "Queen of mean" character she had on the weakest link

[@johnking5174]

8:48 - Studio 1 at NBC Burbank is FAMOUS beyond anything, something British viewers would not know. It was the home of the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson from when he moved the show to LA in May 1972 until he retired in May 1992. Carson, a legend in American television. Gold standard. I would love to work in his former studio.

[@jacetaneneko_vt]

"It is absolutely vital that a woman hosts it" and now, your new host... Ramesh Ranganathan!

[@biegebythesea6775]

he's really funny though

[@aliciavaladez4817]

Was one of the greatest show!

[@RobJNathanSings]

Thank you for posting. That is me at 22:31 - brought back good memories.

[@hakc97again]

Did you ever get on the show in the end?

[@RobJNathanSings]

+hakc97again yes I did thanks, May 2001 :-)

[@hakc97again]

Do you have a video copy of it?

[@RobJNathanSings]

+hakc97again yes, but sadly not on a format that I can upload at the moment :(

[@hakc97again]

Rob Nathan I might be able to convert it for you. PM me your email adress

[@officialSgtPepperArc360]

This was honestly the best version ever! "Here's to you, Mrs.--" you know who I mean.

[@wingfryer]

I enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of the show. It was interesting how much work the production put into making the promo videos with Anne Robinson.

[@brydc0ck31]

I miss u, Anne Robinson!♥️

[@kirstywaters8046]

I love Anne and Mel and Sue xx

[@ryansmyth7703]

13:06 (Anne) Why would I waste my time watching myself on television 49:02 (Anne) *watches herself on weakest link*

[@nolanblake2776]

I remember when she hosted the first prime time version in the us back in 2000/2001. I think the hosting style was ahead of its time which was why it didn’t last long. It’s been revived with Jane Lynch and she’s doing a decent job of mimicking Anne, but with a softer touch and it’s doing decently well.

[@StunnedByWrestling]

Thanks for this. Been looking for this documentary

[@patrickmaruniak5347]

I seen in this video that Anne Robinson got to meet Sisqo. Does anybody remember who he is? He had a huge top ten hit with the Thong Song back in 1999. It's hard to believe that was 21 years ago already. I remember when it first came out. It seems like yesterday.

[@johnking5174]

9:16 - I recognise that corridor on the right here. That was where Johnny Carsom famously one night left the studio with a camera to go the studio next door and confront Don Rickles who was making a sitcom there, Don had broken Carson's cigarette box the night before in 1976. Here is the clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV62mK2mnM6hgpI

[@goldhillplayground7741]

The Weakest Link UK with Anne Robinson on 14th of August 2000 and 31st of March 2012, but it's celebrity special of BBC Children in Need in November 2017.

[@capdavis2002]

It added a sense of charm to game shows

[@johnking5174]

9:17 - Isn't the door shown here on the right, the door Johnny Carson in 1976 went to go and interrupt his good friend Don Rickles who was taping the sitcom CPO Sharkey in the adjacent studio? He went to confront him for breaking his cigarette box on the Tonight Show the previous night. I think it is.

[@goldhillplayground2206]

In 2001 to 2002, Anne Robinson on the Weakest Link USA from the NBC.

[@ht_100]

In Japan, Weakest Link was only shown half of a year, April to September 2002.

[@johnking5174]

Anne Robinson today Monday 15th February 2021 has been revealed as the next host of the British Channel 4 long running quiz show Countdown, as she will be the first female host of that show since it started in November 1982.

[@JasonMasterJHuhn]

Now, Jane Lynch is taking over the US Version.

[@arielg7000]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@matthall3077]

0:49 Calm Down Dear It’s A Commercial!

[@JeopardyandWheelFan]

I miss the show so much! Was the set smaller in person or was it exactly the same size as it was seen on television?

[@johnking5174]

+Andrew Hain There were two sets, one which was small with no studio audience, and a much larger set with a studio audience sitting behind the contestants.

[@JeopardyandWheelFan]

John King To clarify, I was asking about if the set of the U.S. version was smaller in person.

[@johnking5174]

OK, remember the set used is in a 10,000 Sq Ft studio. So I assume it was a large set. The UK version had two sets as I said before. The US version always had a studio audience, the UK version had both.

[@JeopardyandWheelFan]

John King Ok, well the reason I ask is because normally, for most game shows, the set is smaller in person.

[@johnking5174]

They were trying to impress you see. The studio in which they taped it was Johnny Carson's studio, and I saw the side door when the famous 1976 bit happened when Johnny went to interrupt Don Rickles taping his sitcom next door.

[@TheXander360]

i hate that we (the US) replaced Anne with a guy. Unless Anne wanted to leave

[@glsweeney721]

Michael Reeves they canceled the primetime show and then brought it to syndication

[@conMiericonstructs]

I THINK she couldint handle us WL uk WL , and doing wactchdog at the same time.

[@bluebear1985]

One problem could have been that they tried airing too many celebrity episodes, which made already slipping ratings even worse. At the time, NBC still had the broadcast rights to NBA basketball, and there were a couple of cases where a game ran a bit long, causing those on the east coast to miss the beginning of the program. I caught it on CTV in Canada, and I loved the show. I just wish it could have had a longer run on this side of the pond.

[@mitchellries256]

This is just a guess, but I think she couldn't do the syndicated version because she was too busy with the UK version as well.

[@luuck1788]

@@conMiericonstructs She stopped doing Watchdog because of Weakest Link.

[@goldhillplayground7741]

In Australia, on Channel Seven.

[@MrRibby88]

I liked this show when it first came out in the US, but I stopped watching it when week after week it was just "celebrity specials" rather than just ordinary contestants.

[@tomdalfonzo9959]

That's usually when you know that a show is in a death spiral.

[@johnking5174]

It happened in Britain with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. When it launched in 1998 it became a mega success, however come 2003 it went into a lot of celebrity specials, which saw ratings plummet. The new version of Millionaire in Britain is now hosted by the male version of Anne, Jeremy Clarkson, who is fantastic at it.

[@mattleslie4274]

Also thanks for uploading this! i loved watcing it! But unfortunetly you are the weakest link, goodbye

[@edgarmartinez7371]

Win Vista Wow!

[@hybridrowrestlingtv]

15:40 whats the name of that song

[@Brandon-qr2or]

This is also during the time of judge Judy as well. Mean women with short hair styles were in back then

[@ominous450]

why does this look like it was aired in the 80s

[@RWL2012]

because it was recorded on VHS...? the non-HiFi linear sound is more 80s to me :-P

[@predragnedovic9942]

Because it's recorded in 2000's which is not much different than 80's when we talk about television LMAO

[@bluebear1985]

It really is too bad it didn't have as long of a run in primetime on NBC as it should have. There were times when it started a few minutes late due to NBA basketball games running a little long. Also, too many celebrity and themed shows were other factors in killing it. There was also a daily daytime version in syndication with current announcer of "The Price is Right" George Gray as host. It did okay at first, but as soon as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" moved to syndication, a lot of stations either dropped the show or moved it to late night time slots, eventually leading to its cancellation.

[@gameshowguy2000]

They did one special at halftime during one of the NBA Finals games in 2001.

[@mitchellries256]

No offense to George Gray, but the reason the syndicated version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (or one of the reasons) it did better was because Meredith Vieira was a better host for that show than George was for the Weakest Link. They needed a host like Anne Robinson to host the show and not a comedic. Also, the primetime version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? was cancelled around the same time as the primetime version of the Weakest Link. I guess you can say game shows just lost popularity all of a sudden like that.

[@mitchellries256]

Agreed. I can think of plenty of actresses that could be good hosts like Anne Robinson. Katie Cassidy, Lauren Holly, Rachel Nichols, Lauren German, A.J. Cook, or Caity Lotz to name a few. If they can find a great host for the U.S., they should also consider having her host a version of the Weakest Link in Canada.

[@PkmnMstr10]

@@mitchellries256 Primetime Millionaire was dropped purely due to fatigue. ABC was insanely greedy in capitalizing on its success by airing episodes through the entire week. People got sick of it.

[@AAA839]

After the 911.NBC really gone so far to air lost celebrity episode than feature any regular contestant.which is sad and just adding fuel to the downfall of rating...

[@jordandaluz2129]

If Weakest Link is a movie, have Julie Andrews play as Anne Robinson!!!!!

[@edgarmartinez7371]

If only it was...

[@luuck1788]

Officially it was called Annie Goes To Hollywood.

[@SanFran51]

She is now the host of Countdown in the UK.

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@SanFran51 Anne had left after a year and Colin Murray presents countdown now

[@SanFran51]

@@peterwilliamskelhorn6675 She's now 80 and now dating Queen Camilla's ex husband. (yes seriously)

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@@SanFran51 that's her own business

[@AAA839]

The show is quite a revolutionary at that time, because none of the show like weakest link will encourage people，Don't need to be nice to anyone and just being competitive. And try to win the game with any cost. Anne really made a history as she is one of few female quiz show host, when most of other are men only. Also she is former journalist and "mature" than most other host. Those thing are taking as example when other country bough the show format and finding their "Anne Robinson" host. However.One thing quite sad about is the current cancel culture and reality show flooded cause the reboot just taking like typical reality tv show and other gameshow . it really lost its charm.not only to the show procedure and those amazing track and camera + set lighting.also the host being too "nice" not to try being a bit pushy. Nowaday even Anne admit she can't host again because she can't being brutal like old days with current TV culture.with BBC also want others forget the original formate(they set the content ID to claim any weakest link show even with other language. One of the thing I hate is some people just accuse her being bulled now when former show clip appear online and they never speak in old days,which is disgusting why you don't say anything with 10 years and so on and speak like that....

[@DoktorChaos81]

It´s a pity that in germany "Der Schwächste fliegt" didn´t work! It was my favourite show!

[@mitchellries256]

Yeah. I do not understand why this show didn't last long in most countries.

[@svin7987]

Maybe there weren't many who wanted to participate because the chance of winning anything is so small because you can be voted off for being too good.@@mitchellries256

[@normanedwards7220]

Anne , is a class act , ....the spitefull sneer , the comptempt , the turn of the head as she tells them , you are the weakest link , ....goodbye

[@metayate1]

I use to watch the weakest link. and I loved the way Anne was but when they got a guy instead Anne I never bother any more to watch it.

[@carterduchalard3019]

Fun Fact: he is now the announcer on the Price is Right

[@mitchellries256]

Please, please, please bring this show back to the United States. I am sure they can find the perfect host who could have the same Anne Robinson attitude people loved to see on the show.

[@lawrencel6378]

They are rebooting the show on September 29, hosted by Jane Lynch.

[@DorvellTStewart]

Much like the US version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,“ the downfall of “The Weakest Link“ can largely be attributed to over exposure, if you ask me. NBC aired it on several nights a week from the beginning, if I remember correctly. had they actually picked a night for it to air and just stuck with that and not relied so much on celebrity players/special episodes later in the run, it might have lasted.

[@MattJr4793]

I agree as much as I really love both Millionaire & Weakest Link for different reasons the one big reason faded so fast after soaring so well in the beginning is because it was over doing with so many episodes each week 🥲🙌🔥💚

[@Mike-zh1ew]

The thumbnail looks like an evil Julie Andrews

[@rebeccafridaylover]

Thanks, when and where was this actually aired?

[@kurt479]

It was all about the rudeness 😂😂

[@fredklein3829]

The Weakest Link appeals to the Americans' love of Social Darwinism and their revulsion good manners or culture.

[@redrocks1983]

OK...

[@ERMD_TWL]

18:19 useful timestamp for me, just ignore it.

[@xmanval2]

29:57

[@xmanval2]

29:58

[@TucBroder]

it really does xD The colours, the hairstyles.... :p

[@officialSgtPepperArc360]

300th like too!

[@vistaprime]

Why did this need a documentary?

[@matthartleyjr9180]

because she was one of the biggest names in television then

[@goldhillplayground7741]

In Germany, on RTL.

[@scouser2010ify]

Mel and Sue ? I thought they got famous from bake off who knew

[@Scallion_D]

Nah. They were famous years and years ago. Late 90s.

[@scouser2010ify]

@@Scallion_D ohright

[@johnking5174]

The Irish version of The Weakest Link was hosted by a man, football pundit Eamonn Dunphy. It lasted one series and was a ratings flop for Ireland's commercial channel TV3 in 2001/2002.

[@mitchellries256]

I didn't think Eamonn Dunphy was that bad. But if it were me, I would've considered reviving that version of the show with Anne Robinson as host (provided the U.S. version was cancelled at the time). I would also consider doing the exact same thing with the Australian version of the show to (no offense to Cornelia Frances in anyway).

[@xmanval2]

49:01

[@goldhillplayground7741]

That's German for welcome to the Weakest Link!

[@jaymewaitt8424]

Anne Robinson was hot back in 2000

[@franktheo2055]

I often thought Anne Robinson stole SNL's Danna Carvery's wardrobe from SNL's character The Church Lady. {Weakest Link} Was Great ! Could It Be Satan ? 👿👹😈💔🐞🌹🌹🌹 LOL !🌹

[@dvferyance]

It's interesting she was willing to come here to host it but not Australia. I would think it would have been the other way around.

[@AAA839]

Anne had said in interview she is so exhaust when hosting both US and UK version at the same time.she need to flying first class between US and UK,it is so hard for most host.If she came to australia would be puting more pressure and hard for her.I doubt Anne will done. But Australia also got a legendary Actress Conelia France who is amazing for the host role. Just sad she passaway because of Cancer.everyone in australia know her just being character not any mean person in real life. Channel 9 Had bring back the show with Magda Szubanski but it is not work.she is can't host like Anne or Cornelia,She never like the same level as them.Moreover many viewer disgus about Magda as she is making fun to innocent people (Making fun to the Prime Minister Wife).People really want her out.but Channel 9 don't listern.when there had other good choice of host...

[@smokerlad]

Remember this documentary originally, the shoe shop scene and how she was on her way to being this mega star haha! All went down the pan pretty quick, all cringing to watch now - she became so big headed it was unreal in a very short space of time

[@bettyanita7665]

18:13

[@tomdalfonzo9959]

21:13 36:30

[@jonathantozer4855]

This programe is full of lip sinking

[@alexrobinson3970]

the cs c

[@theojohnmouzouros9975]

im at 16:36

[@themcguinnessexperiment617]

theo john Mouzouros wow neat

[@brianlewis6774]

Lol that Welsh-American bloke made me laugh. If anyone actually takes it seriously they need to get a life. PS, what for the love of God is a Welsh-American anyway? One or the other, people!

[@matthewmeno5279]

Ann Robinson should've been a dj or something, but not a game show host! She didn't make a very nice one! Not like Riejus Filven!

[@mattleslie4274]

I wanna put the english people into room 101, would i get into trouble? ohh and i am english

[@Victoryismine200]

How is it racist for making fun of Welsh people? White people originated from there just as much as white people originated from Britain, so therefore how is it racist? It just doesn’t make sense.

[@drednok3569]

potato

[@RWL2012]

video quality is fine, but the sound isn't as it was recorded on a linear sound only (non-HiFi) VCR

[@xmanval2]

49:39

[@xmanval2]

49:00